Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

ABSTRACT

According to a first aspect of the invention, an information processing apparatus includes an information acquisition unit configured to acquire first blood pressure information and second blood pressure information that is information earlier than the first blood pressure information, a blood pressure fluctuation detector configured to detect a blood pressure fluctuation exceeding a first reference value from the first and second blood pressure information, and a fluctuation information output unit configured to output blood pressure fluctuation information that reports the blood pressure fluctuation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2018/046238, filed Dec. 17, 2018 and based upon and claiming thebenefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-252651,filed Dec. 27, 2017, the entire contents of all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to an information processingapparatus, an information processing method, and a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, a wearable blood pressure monitor capable of easilymeasuring blood pressure regardless of place has been developed. Jpn.Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2017-023546 discloses, as an examplethereof, a wearable blood pressure monitor that starts blood pressuremeasurement in response to an input operation of a measurementinstruction.

Such a wearable blood pressure monitor can easily measure blood pressurein various situations. For example, blood pressure values can bemeasured and recorded at various locations, such as at home or at work,and blood pressure values can be measured and recorded at various times,including times away from home. Blood pressure values measured in thesevarious situations are used for health management and the like.

SUMMARY

By using the wearable blood pressure monitor as described above, bloodpressure measurement may be performed easily in various situations suchas at home or at work. However, blood pressure fluctuations that canoccur in daily life are often not noticed. For example, it is known thatan environmental change such as a rapid temperature change may causeblood pressure fluctuations that should be noted in health management.In order to notice such blood pressure fluctuations, it is necessary toperform operations such as measuring the blood pressure on a daily basisand comparing a past measurement value with a current measurement value.

In one aspect, the present invention is made in view of the abovecircumstances, and the object thereof is to provide a technique thatprovides a measurement subject or the like with an opportunity torecognize the blood pressure fluctuation.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present inventionadopts the following configurations.

According to a first aspect of the invention, an information processingapparatus comprises an information acquisition unit configured toacquire first blood pressure information and second blood pressureinformation that is information earlier than the first blood pressureinformation, a blood pressure fluctuation detector configured to detecta blood pressure fluctuation exceeding a first reference value from thefirst and second blood pressure information, and a fluctuationinformation output unit configured to output blood pressure fluctuationinformation that reports the blood pressure fluctuation.

According to the above configuration, by outputting the blood pressurefluctuation information based on the detection of the blood pressurefluctuation, it is possible to provide an opportunity to recognize theblood pressure fluctuation by notifying the measurement subject of theblood pressure fluctuation. For example, a blood pressure fluctuationexceeding the first reference value imposes a burden on the bloodvessel; however, since the measurement subject or the like can becomeaware of the occurrence of blood pressure fluctuation, the measurementsubject can discuss improving the living environment or the like.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the informationprocessing apparatus according to the first aspect further comprises anenvironmental change detector configured to detect an environmentalchange exceeding a second reference value from first environmentalinformation and the second environmental information that is informationearlier than the first environmental information, a blood pressuremeasurement unit configured to measure the first blood pressureinformation based on detection of the environmental change, and a bloodpressure information output unit configured to output the first bloodpressure information.

According to the above configuration, the blood pressure fluctuation mayoccur based on the environmental change exceeding the second referencevalue, and the detection probability of the blood pressure fluctuationcan be increased.

According to a third aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to the second aspect, the blood pressuremeasurement unit measures the second blood pressure information based onone of a measurement instruction corresponding to an input operation ora measurement instruction corresponding to a measurement schedule, andthe blood pressure information output unit outputs the second bloodpressure information.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to measure thesecond blood pressure information at a timing according to the intentionof the measurement subject or the like based on the measurementinstruction corresponding to the input operation. Alternatively, thesecond blood pressure information can be measured at a timing determinedby the measurement schedule.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to the third aspect, the blood pressurefluctuation detector updates the second blood pressure information inaccordance with acquisition of blood pressure information.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect the bloodpressure fluctuation from the first blood pressure information and thesecond blood pressure information updated in accordance with theacquisition of the blood pressure information.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to any one of the second to fourthaspects, the environmental change detector updates the secondenvironmental information in accordance with acquisition ofenvironmental information.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to detect anenvironmental change from the first environmental information and thesecond environmental information updated in accordance with theacquisition of the environmental information.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to any one of the second to fifthaspects, the environmental change detector detects the environmentalchange exceeding the second reference value from first temperatureinformation corresponding to the first environmental information andsecond temperature information corresponding to the second environmentalinformation.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to measure thefirst blood pressure information using a temperature change exceedingthe second reference value as a trigger, and thus it is possible toincrease the detection probability of the blood pressure fluctuation.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to any one of the second to sixthaspects, the fluctuation information output unit outputs the bloodpressure fluctuation information including information indicating theenvironmental change.

According to the above configuration, by outputting the blood pressurefluctuation information, it is possible to notify the measurementsubject or the like of the environmental change in addition to the bloodpressure fluctuation. For example, the measurement subject or the likecan become aware of the blood pressure fluctuation according to theenvironmental change, and can discuss improving the living environmentor the like.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to any one of the second to seventhaspects, the blood pressure information output unit outputs the firstand second blood pressure information in association with informationindicating a blood pressure measurement situation of a measurementsubject, and the fluctuation information output unit outputs the bloodpressure fluctuation information including information indicating theblood pressure measurement situation.

According to the above configuration, by outputting the blood pressurefluctuation information, it is possible to notify the measurementsubject or the like of the blood pressure measurement situation inaddition to the blood pressure fluctuation. For example, the measurementsubject or the like can become aware of the blood pressure measurementsituation when the blood pressure fluctuation has occurred, and candiscuss measures to be taken against the blood pressure fluctuation orthe like from the blood pressure measurement situation.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to the eighth aspect, the informationindicating the blood pressure measurement situation includes a bloodpressure measurement position of the measurement subject.

According to the above configuration, by outputting the blood pressurefluctuation information, it is possible to notify the measurementsubject or the like of the blood pressure measurement position inaddition to the blood pressure fluctuation. For example, the measurementsubject or the like can become aware of the blood pressure measurementposition of the time the blood pressure fluctuation has occurred, andcan discuss measures to be taken against the blood pressure fluctuationfrom the blood pressure measurement position.

According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in the informationprocessing apparatus according to the sixth aspect, the environmentalchange detector detects the environmental change in a case where atleast one of the first or second temperature information is below atemperature reference value.

According to the above configuration, in a case where at least one ofthe first or the second temperature information is below the temperaturereference value, the environmental change is detected, and the bloodpressure is measured to detect the blood pressure fluctuation in theenvironmental change at a low temperature below the temperaturereference value. By excluding a part of the temperature environment inwhich the blood pressure fluctuation occurrence probability isconsidered to be low from the target of the blood pressure measurement,it is possible to relieve the measurement subject of the burden of bloodpressure measurement and to improve comfortableness. In addition, theamount of blood pressure information to be recorded can be reduced,thereby reducing the amount of storage resources used.

According to an eleventh aspect of the invention, an informationprocessing method performed by an information processing apparatuscomprises acquiring first blood pressure information and second bloodpressure information that is information earlier than the first bloodpressure information, detecting a blood pressure fluctuation exceeding afirst reference value from the first and second blood pressureinformation, and outputting blood pressure fluctuation informationreporting the blood pressure fluctuation.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain the sameeffect as the first aspect described above.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to obtain the sameeffect as that of any one of the first to tenth aspects.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide atechnique for providing a measurement subject or the like with anopportunity to recognize blood pressure fluctuation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of a blood pressuremonitor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a blood pressure monitoraccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a blood pressuremonitor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a bloodpressure monitor according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of blood pressure measurementprocessing based on an environmental change according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of blood pressure fluctuationnotification processing according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to an aspect of the presentinvention (hereinafter, also referred to as “present embodiment”) willbe described with reference to the drawings. However, the embodimentdescribed below is merely an example of the present invention in allrespects. As a matter of course, various alterations and modificationscan be made, without departing from the scope of the invention. That is,in carrying out the present invention, a specific configurationaccording to the embodiment may be adopted as appropriate. Note thatsignals and the like mentioned in the present embodiment are describedin a natural language, but more specifically, they are designated in apseudo language, a command, a parameter, a machine language, or the likerecognizable by a computer.

Embodiment

(Configuration)

FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a blood pressure monitor 1 as anembodiment of an information processing apparatus according to thepresent invention.

The blood pressure monitor 1 is a wristwatch-type wearable device. Theblood pressure monitor 1 has a blood pressure measurement function as ablood pressure measurement unit, and further has various informationprocessing functions. The information processing functions include, forexample, an activity amount measurement function, a step countmeasurement function, a sleep state measurement function, and anenvironment (temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure)measurement function. The blood pressure monitor 1 is, for example, ablood pressure monitor of a type that starts blood pressure measurementbased on an input of a blood pressure measurement start instruction by ameasurement subject or a trigger signal autonomously generated by theblood pressure monitor 1.

The blood pressure monitor 1 includes a main body 10, a belt 20, and acuff structure 30.

The configuration of the main body 10 will be described.

The main body 10 is configured to be able to mount a plurality ofelements such as elements of a control system of the blood pressuremonitor 1.

The main body 10 includes a case 10A, a glass 10B, and a back cover 10C.

The case 10A has, for example, a substantially short cylindrical shape.The case 10A is provided with a pair of projecting lugs for attachingthe belt 20 at each of the two positions on its side surface.

The glass 10B is attached to an upper portion of the case 10A. The glass10B has, for example, a circular shape.

The back cover 10C is detachably attached to the lower portion of thecase 10A so as to face the glass 10B.

The main body 10 includes a display unit 101 and an operation unit 102.

The display unit 101 displays various kinds of information. The displayunit 101 is provided in the main body 10 at a position that can bevisually recognized by the measurement subject through the glass 10B.The display unit 101 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) Thedisplay unit 101 may be an organic electro luminescence (EL) display.The display unit 101 may have a function of displaying various kinds ofinformation, and is not limited thereto. The display unit 101 mayinclude a light emitting diode (LED).

The operation unit 102 is an element for inputting various instructionsto the blood pressure monitor 1. The operation portion 102 is providedon a side surface of the main body 10. The operation unit 102 includes,for example, one or more push switches. The operation unit 102 may be apressure-sensitive (resistive) or proximity (capacitive) touch panelswitch. The operation unit 102 may have a function of inputting variousinstructions to the blood pressure monitor 1, and is not limitedthereto.

Examples of switches included in the operation unit 102 will bedescribed.

The operation unit 102 includes a measurement switch for instructing astarting or stopping of blood pressure measurement. The operation unit102 may include a home switch for returning the display screen of thedisplay unit 101 to a predetermined home screen, and a record callswitch for causing the display unit 101 to display a measurement recordof the past blood pressure, activity amount, and the like.

The main body 10 includes a plurality of elements other than the displayunit 101 and the operation unit 102. A plurality of elements mounted onthe main body 10 will be described later.

The configuration of the belt 20 will be described.

The belt 20 is configured to be able to surround a measurement site (forexample, a left wrist) of the measurement subject. The width directionof the belt 20 is defined as an X direction. The direction in which thebelt 20 surrounds the measurement site is a Y direction.

The belt 20 includes a first belt portion 201, a second belt portion202, a buckle 203, and a belt holding portion 204.

The first belt portion 201 has a band shape extending from the main body10 to one side in one direction (right side in FIG. 1). A root portion201 a of the first belt portion 201 close to the main body 10 isrotatably attached to a pair of lugs of the main body 10 via aconnecting rod 401.

The second belt portion 202 has a band shape extending from the mainbody 10 to the other side in one direction (left side in FIG. 1). A rootportion 202 a of the second belt portion 202 close to the main body 10is rotatably attached to a pair of lugs of the main body 10 via aconnecting rod 402. A plurality of small holes 202 c are formed betweenthe root portion 202 a and a distal end portion 202 b of the second beltportion 202 remote from the main body 10 so as to penetrate the secondbelt portion 202 in the thickness direction.

The buckle 203 is configured to be able to fasten the first belt portion201 and the second belt portion 202. The buckle 203 is attached to adistal end portion 201 b of the first belt portion 201 that is far fromthe main body 10. The buckle 203 includes a frame-shaped body 203A, afastening rod 203B, and a connecting rod 203C.

The frame-shaped body 203A and the fastening rod 203B are rotatablyattached to the distal end portion 201 b of the first belt portion 201via the connecting rod 203C. The frame-shaped body 203A and thefastening rod 203B are made of, for example, a metal material. Theframe-shaped body 203A and the fastening rod 203B may be made of aplastic material. When the first belt portion 201 and the second beltportion 202 are fastened, the distal end portion 202 b of the secondbelt portion 202 is passed through the frame-shaped body 203A. Thefastening rod 203B is inserted into one of the plurality of small holes202 c of the second belt portion 202.

The belt holding portion 204 is attached between the root portion 201 aand the distal end portion 201 b of the first belt portion 201. When thefirst belt portion 201 and the second belt portion 202 are fastened, thedistal end portion 202 b of the second belt portion 202 is passedthrough the belt holding portion 204.

The configuration of the cuff structure 30 will be described.

The cuff structure 30 is configured to be able to press a measurementsite during blood pressure measurement.

The cuff structure 30 has a band shape extending along the Y direction.The cuff structure 30 faces the inner peripheral surface of the belt 20.One end 30 a of the cuff structure 30 is attached to the main body 10.The other end 30 b of the cuff structure 30 is a free end. Therefore,the cuff structure 30 can be separated from the inner peripheral surfaceof the belt 20.

The cuff structure 30 includes a curler 301, a pressing cuff 302, a backplate 303, and a sensing cuff 304.

The curler 301 is disposed at the outermost periphery of the cuffstructure 30. The curler 301 is curved along the Y direction in anatural state. The curler 301 is a resin plate having a predeterminedflexibility and hardness. The resin plate is made of, for example,polypropylene.

The pressing cuff 302 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface ofthe curler 301. The pressing cuff 302 has a bag shape. A flexible tube501 (shown in FIG. 2) is attached to the pressing cuff 302. The flexibletube 501 is an element for supplying a pressure transmission fluid(hereinafter also simply referred to as a “fluid”) from the main body 10side or discharging the fluid from the pressing cuff 302. The fluid is,for example, air. When the fluid is supplied to the pressing cuff 302,the pressing cuff 302 is inflated and compresses the measurement site.

The pressing cuff 302 may include, for example, two fluid bags stackedin the thickness direction. Each fluid bag is formed of, for example, astretchable polyurethane sheet. As fluid is supplied to the pressingcuff 302, fluid flows into each fluid bag. As each fluid bag inflates,the pressing cuff 302 inflates. The back plate 303 is disposed along theinner peripheral surface of the pressing cuff 302.

The back plate 303 has a band shape. The back plate 303 is made ofresin, for example. The resin is, for example, polypropylene. The backplate 303 functions as a reinforcing plate. Therefore, the back plate303 can transmit the pressing force from the pressing cuff 302 to theentire region of the sensing cuff 304.

On the inner peripheral surface and the outer peripheral surface of theback plate 303, a plurality of grooves having a V-shaped or U-shapedcross section extending in the direction X are provided in parallel tobe spaced apart from each other in the direction Y. Because the backplate 303 is flexible, the back plate 303 does not prevent the cuffstructure 30 from bending.

The sensing cuff 304 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface ofthe back plate 303. The sensing cuff 304 has a bag shape. The sensingcuff 304 includes a first sheet 304A (shown in FIG. 3) and a secondsheet 304B (shown in FIG. 3) facing the first sheet 304A. The firstsheet 304A corresponds to an inner peripheral surface 30 c of the cuffstructure 30. Therefore, the first sheet 304A contacts the measurementsite. The second sheet 304B faces the inner peripheral surface of theback plate 303. The first sheet 304A and the second sheet 304B are, forexample, stretchable polyurethane sheets. A flexible tube 502 (shown inFIG. 2) is attached to a sensing cuff 304. The flexible tube 502 is anelement for supplying fluid to the sensing cuff 304 or discharging fluidfrom the sensing cuff 304.

A plurality of elements mounted on the main body 10 will now bedescribed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the bloodpressure monitor 1.

In addition to the display unit 101 and the operation unit 102, the mainbody 10 includes a controller 103, a storage unit 104, an accelerationsensor 105, a temperature and humidity sensor 106, an atmosphericpressure sensor 107, a communication unit 108, a GPS (global positioningsystem) receiver 109, a battery 110, a first pressure sensor 111, asecond pressure sensor 112, a pump drive circuit 113, a pump 114, and anopen/close valve 115.

The controller 103 includes a processor constituting a computer, arandom access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and the like, andcontrols each component according to information processing based on aprogram (information processing program) stored in at least one of theROM or the storage unit 104. For example, the processor is a centralprocessing unit (CPU). The program is a command for operating thecontroller 103.

The controller 103 also stores data acquired from the accelerationsensor 105, the temperature and humidity sensor 106, the atmosphericpressure sensor 107, the communication unit 108, the GPS receiver 109,the first pressure sensor 111, and the second pressure sensor 112 in thestorage unit 104. The configuration of each unit implemented by thecontroller 103 will be described later.

The storage unit 104 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device suchas a hard disk drive or a solid state drive. For example, the storageunit 104 stores a program executed by the controller 103. The storageunit 104 also stores control data used for controlling the bloodpressure monitor 1, setting data for setting various functions of theblood pressure monitor 1, and the like. The storage unit 104 is alsoused as a work memory and the like when the program is executed.

The storage unit 104 also stores blood pressure-related information. Forexample, the blood pressure related information includes a plurality ofpieces of blood pressure information measured at different dates andtimes, and a situation of the measurement subject when the bloodpressure associated with each piece of blood pressure information wasmeasured (hereinafter also referred to as “blood pressure measurementsituation”). For example, the blood pressure information includes bloodpressure values (systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), and the like). The blood pressure measurement situation includestime information (measurement date and time) acquired according to thetiming of blood pressure measurement, and also includes at least one ofposition information (measurement position), acceleration information,temperature and humidity information, atmospheric pressure information,action schedule information, or the like. For example, theabove-described timing of the blood pressure measurement is one oftiming at the start of the blood pressure measurement, timing during theblood pressure measurement, or timing at the end of the blood pressuremeasurement. Furthermore, the acceleration information may beinformation acquired at a timing that is a predetermined time (forexample, one minute or five minutes) before the start of the bloodpressure measurement.

The acceleration sensor 105 is a three-axis acceleration sensor. Theacceleration sensor 105 outputs acceleration information indicatingaccelerations in three directions orthogonal to each other to thecontroller 103. The acceleration information is an example ofinformation indicating the movement of the measurement subject. Usingthe acceleration information, the controller 103 can calculate theamount of activity of the measurement subject in various activities suchas housework and desk work as well as walking. The activity amount is,for example, an index related to the activity of the measurement subjectsuch as a moving (walking) distance, calorie consumption, or a fatburning amount. The controller 103 can also use the accelerationinformation to estimate whether the measurement subject is in a state ofbefore sleeping, sleeping, or after waking. The controller 103 can alsoestimate whether or not the measurement subject is exercising using theacceleration information.

The temperature and humidity sensor 106 measures the environmentaltemperature (room temperature) and humidity around the blood pressuremonitor 1. The temperature and humidity sensor 106 outputs environmentalinformation indicating the environmental temperature and humidity to thecontroller 103. For example, an environmental change (temperaturechange) such as a temperature is considered one of the elements that cancause a blood pressure fluctuation in a human. Therefore, theenvironmental temperature is information that can be a factor in bloodpressure fluctuation of the measurement subject.

The atmospheric pressure sensor 107 detects the atmospheric pressurearound the blood pressure monitor 1. The atmospheric pressure sensor 107outputs environmental information indicating the atmospheric pressure tothe controller 103. The controller 103 can measure the number of steps,the number of fast walking steps, the number of stair-climbing steps,and the like of the measurement subject using the environmentalinformation and the acceleration information indicating the atmosphericpressure. For example, an environmental change (atmospheric pressurechange) of the atmospheric pressure, etc. is considered one of theelements that can cause a blood pressure fluctuation in a human.Therefore, the atmospheric pressure is information that can be a factorin blood pressure fluctuation of the measurement subject.

The communication unit 108 is an interface for connecting the bloodpressure monitor 1 to at least one of a server 70 or a mobile terminal80. The mobile terminal 80 is, for example, a smartphone or a tabletterminal. It is assumed that the mobile terminal 80 is owned by themeasurement subject. The communication unit 108 is controlled by thecontroller 103. The communication unit 108 transmits information to atleast one of the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80 via a network. Thecommunication unit 108 transfers information received from at least oneof the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80 via the network to thecontroller 103. The communication via the network may be either wirelessor wired. The network is, for example, the Internet, but is not limitedthereto. The network may be another type of network such as a hospitallocal area network (LAN), or may be a one-to-one communication using aUSB cable or the like. The communication unit 108 may include a microUSB connector. The communication unit 108 may transmit information tothe mobile terminal 80 by short-range wireless communication such asBluetooth (registered trademark).

The GPS receiver 109 receives GPS signals transmitted from a pluralityof GPS satellites and outputs the received GPS signals to the controller103. The controller 103 calculates the current position of the bloodpressure monitor 1, that is, the current position of the measurementsubject wearing the blood pressure monitor 1, by performing distancemeasurement calculation based on the GPS signals. The blood pressuremonitor 1 does not necessarily have to include the distance measurementcalculation function by the GPS receiver 109 and the controller 103. Inthis case, the blood pressure monitor 1 acquires position informationindicating the current position calculated by the mobile terminal 80from the mobile terminal 80 via the communication unit 108. The positioninformation calculated by the mobile terminal 80 corresponds to thecurrent position of the blood pressure monitor 1. For example, themobile terminal 80 may include a GPS reception function and calculatethe position information from a GPS signal received by the GPS receptionfunction, or the mobile terminal 80 may acquire the position informationby communication with a base station.

The battery 110 is, for example, a rechargeable second battery. Thebattery 110 supplies power to each element mounted on the main body 10.The battery 110 supplies power to, for example, the display unit 101,the operation unit 102, the controller 103, the storage unit 104, theacceleration sensor 105, the temperature and humidity sensor 106, theatmospheric pressure sensor 107, the communication unit 108, the firstpressure sensor 111, the second pressure sensor 112, the pump drivecircuit 113, the pump 114, and the open/close valve 115.

The first pressure sensor 111 is, for example, a piezoresistive pressuresensor. The first pressure sensor 111 detects the pressure in thepressing cuff 302 via the flexible tube 501 and a first flow pathforming member 503 constituting a first flow path. The first pressuresensor 111 outputs pressure data to the controller 103.

The second pressure sensor 112 is, for example, a piezoresistivepressure sensor. The second pressure sensor 112 detects the pressure inthe sensing cuff 304 via the flexible tube 502 and a second flow pathforming member 504 constituting a second flow path. The second pressuresensor 112 outputs pressure data to the controller 103.

The pump drive circuit 113 drives the pump 114 based on a control signalfrom the controller 103.

The pump 114 is, for example, a piezoelectric pump. The pump 114 isfluidly connected to the pressing cuff 302 via the first flow path. Thepump 114 can supply fluid to the pressing cuff 302 through the firstflow path. The pump 114 is equipped with an exhaust valve (not shown)whose opening and closing are controlled in accordance with ON/OFF ofthe pump 114. That is, the exhaust valve closes when the pump 114 isturned on to assist in enclosing air within the pressing cuff 302. Onthe other hand, when the pump 114 is turned off, the exhaust valve isopened to discharge the air in the pressing cuff 302 to the atmospherethrough the first flow path. The exhaust valve has a function of a checkvalve, and the discharged air does not flow back.

The pump 114 is further fluidly connected to the sensing cuff 304 viathe second flow path. The pump 114 can supply fluid to the sensing cuff304 through the second flow path.

The open/close valve 115 is interposed in the second flow path formingmember 504. The open/close valve 115 is, for example, a normally openelectromagnetic valve. The opening and closing (opening degree) of theopen/close valve 115 is controlled based on a control signal from thecontroller 103. When the open/close valve 115 is in an open state, thepump 114 can supply fluid to the sensing cuff 304 through the secondflow path.

A state in which the blood pressure monitor 1 is attached to themeasurement site (hereinafter, also referred to as “attached state”)will be described.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section perpendicular to the left wrist90 which is the measurement site in the attached state. The main body 10and the belt 20 are not shown. FIG. 3 shows the radial artery 91, ulnarartery 92, radius 93, ulna 94, and tendon 95 of the left wrist 90.

In this attached state, curler 301 extends along the outer periphery (Zdirection) of left wrist 90. The pressing cuff 302 extends along the Zdirection on the inner peripheral side of the curler 301. The back plate303 is interposed between the pressing cuff 302 and the sensing cuff304, and extends along the Z direction. The sensing cuff 304 is incontact with the left wrist 90 and extends in the Z direction so as tocross an artery passing portion 90 a of the left wrist 90. The belt 20,the curler 301, the pressing cuff 302, and the back plate 303 functionas a pressing member capable of generating a pressing force toward theleft wrist 90, and press the left wrist 90 via the sensing cuff 304.

A configuration of software included in the controller 103 will now bedescribed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of software includedin the controller 103 of the blood pressure monitor 1. The controller103 includes, as characteristic control functions according to theembodiment, an information acquisition unit 1031, a blood pressurefluctuation detector 1032, a fluctuation information output unit 1033, asituation detector 1034, an environmental change detector 1035, a bloodpressure measurement unit 1036, and a blood pressure information outputunit 1037. These control functions are realized by causing a processorto execute a program stored in a ROM or the like. Note that each controlfunction unit may be distributed and implemented in two or moreprocessors.

The configuration of the information acquisition unit 1031 will bedescribed.

The information acquisition unit 1031 periodically acquires the bloodpressure-related information from the storage unit 104, or monitors thestorage unit 104, acquires the blood pressure-related information fromthe storage unit 104 in accordance with the update (additional writing)of the information stored in the storage unit 104, and outputs thesequentially acquired blood pressure-related information to the bloodpressure fluctuation detector 1032. For example, the informationacquisition unit 1031 acquires first blood pressure-related information(hereinafter, also referred to as “current blood pressure-relatedinformation”) including a first blood pressure measurement situation(including a first blood pressure measurement date and time) and firstblood pressure information (hereinafter, also referred to as “currentblood pressure information”) associated with the first blood pressuremeasurement situation, and second blood pressure-related information(hereinafter, also referred to as “past blood pressure-relatedinformation”) including a second blood pressure measurement situation(including a second blood pressure measurement date and time, which isearlier than the first blood pressure measurement date and time) andsecond blood pressure information (hereinafter, also referred to as“past blood pressure information”) associated with the second bloodpressure measurement situation. The past blood pressure-relatedinformation (past blood pressure information) may be informationobtained by a measurement in the past or information obtained by aplurality of measurements in the past.

Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 1031 constantly acquiresenvironmental information and outputs the sequentially acquiredenvironmental information to the situation detector 1034. For example,the environmental information is at least one of temperature, humidity,or atmospheric pressure around the blood pressure monitor 1.Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquires current timeinformation and outputs the current time information to the situationdetector 1034. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 1031 mayacquire at least one piece of information among the positioninformation, the acceleration information, the registered actionschedule information, and the like, and output the at least one piece ofinformation to the situation detector 1034.

For example, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquires timeinformation from the communication unit 108. The communication unit 108receives time information from the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80.In the case where the blood pressure monitor 1 has a clock function, theinformation acquisition unit 1031 may acquire time information providedby the clock function. In this case, the clock function may correct thecurrent date and time based on the time information acquired from thecommunication unit 108 and provide the corrected time information.

For example, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquires temperatureand humidity information from the temperature and humidity sensor 106and acquires atmospheric pressure information from the atmosphericpressure sensor 107.

For example, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquires a GPS signalfrom the GPS receiver 109. Alternatively, the information acquisitionunit 1031 may acquire position information indicating the currentposition from the communication unit 108.

For example, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquires the actionschedule information from the communication unit 108. The communicationunit 108 receives the action schedule information from the mobileterminal 80. For example, schedule management application software isinstalled in the mobile terminal 80, and the schedule managementapplication software creates and registers action schedule informationand outputs the action schedule information outside. For example, theaction schedule information includes bedtime, wake-up time, and thelike.

For example, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquires accelerationinformation from the acceleration sensor 105.

The configuration of the blood pressure fluctuation detector 1032 willbe described.

Blood pressure fluctuation detector 1032 receives blood pressure-relatedinformation sequentially acquired by the blood pressure measurementoperation of blood pressure measurement unit 1036 based on at least oneof the input operation of blood pressure measurement to operation unit102 or the blood pressure measurement schedule registered in storageunit 104, and detects a blood pressure fluctuation exceeding a bloodpressure reference value (first reference value) from the first bloodpressure information (current blood pressure information) at a firstmeasurement date and time (for example, current date and time) and thesecond blood pressure information (past blood pressure information) at asecond measurement date and time that is earlier than the firstmeasurement date and time based on a plurality of pieces of bloodpressure information included in the blood pressure-related informationand the blood pressure measurement situation (including the measurementdate and time) associated with each piece of blood pressure information.The blood pressure fluctuation detector 1032 sequentially updates thefirst and second blood pressure information according to the bloodpressure-related information (including the blood pressure information)sequentially acquired according to the passage of time. The bloodpressure fluctuation detector 1032 detects the blood pressurefluctuation exceeding the blood pressure reference value from theupdated first blood pressure information and the updated second bloodpressure information. For example, in the case where a differencebetween the value of the first blood pressure information at the firstmeasurement date and time obtained by a measurement and the second bloodpressure information obtained by a past measurement closest to the firstmeasurement date and time exceeds the blood pressure reference value,the difference is detected as the blood pressure fluctuation.Alternatively, in the case where a difference between the value of thefirst blood pressure information at the first measurement date and timeobtained by a measurement and an average value of a plurality of piecesof the second blood pressure information obtained by a plurality ofmeasurements performed earlier than the first measurement date and timeexceeds the blood pressure reference value, the difference is detectedas the blood pressure fluctuation. For example, in the case where adifference between the value of the first blood pressure information andthe average value of a plurality of pieces of blood pressure informationin the past hour, the past six hours, the past day, or the past weekexceeds the blood pressure reference value, the difference is detectedas the blood pressure fluctuation. For example, by setting 10 mmHg asthe blood pressure reference value, a difference exceeding 10 mmHg isdetected as the blood pressure fluctuation.

The configuration of the fluctuation information output unit 1033 willbe described.

The fluctuation information output unit 1033 outputs blood pressurefluctuation information for reporting the blood pressure fluctuation.For example, the blood pressure fluctuation information is transmissioncontrol information instructing transmission of a blood pressurefluctuation notification email, and the fluctuation information outputunit 1033 outputs the transmission control information to thecommunication unit 108. Based on the transmission control information,the communication unit 108 transmits the blood pressure fluctuationnotification email to a destination registered in advance. For example,by registering a destination corresponding to the mobile terminal 80 inadvance, the communication unit 108 transmits the blood pressurefluctuation notification email to the mobile terminal 80. The mobileterminal 80 receives the blood pressure fluctuation notification emailand displays the blood pressure fluctuation notification email. Theblood pressure fluctuation information is also notification controlinformation for reporting the blood pressure fluctuation, and thefluctuation information output unit 1033 outputs the notificationcontrol information to the display unit 101. The display unit 101displays a blood pressure fluctuation guide based on the notificationcontrol information. For example, the blood pressure fluctuationnotification email and the blood pressure fluctuation guide areinformation visually indicating the blood pressure fluctuation withcharacters, images, or characters and images. In the case where theblood pressure monitor 1 has a vibration notification function, theblood pressure fluctuation may be reported by vibration of the vibrationnotification function based on the blood pressure fluctuationinformation. Furthermore, in the case where the blood pressure monitor 1includes a speaker, the blood pressure fluctuation may be reported by asound or a sound effect from the speaker based on the blood pressurefluctuation information.

The configuration of the situation detector 1034 will be described.

The situation detector 1034 detects the current situation of themeasurement subject at the time of measuring the blood pressureinformation by combining at least one of the position information, theacceleration information, the temperature and humidity information, theatmospheric pressure information, the action schedule information, orthe like with the time information, and outputs information indicatingthe current situation. The “detection” may be read as “estimation”. Theblood pressure information output unit 1037 uses the current situationoutput from the situation detector 1034 as the blood pressuremeasurement situation corresponding to the blood pressure measurement.

For example, the situation detector 1034 outputs the environmentalinformation associated with the time information as one of the currentsituations based on the sequentially acquired environmental information.Accordingly, first environmental information associated with a firstenvironment measurement date and time (hereinafter, also referred to as“current environmental information”) and second environmentalinformation associated with a second environment measurement date andtime that is earlier than the first environment measurement date andtime (hereinafter, also referred to as “past environmental information”)are output.

For example, the situation detector 1034 detects whether or not thecurrent position corresponds to a registered position based on theacquired position information (current position) and the pre-registeredposition information (registered position). For example, in the casewhere the current position is included in a predetermined range from theregistered position, the current position is detected as correspondingto the registered position. That is, the situation detector 1034 candetect whether or not the current position corresponds to the registeredposition as the current situation. For example, by pre-registering atleast one location among a workplace, a home, a hospital, and the like,it is possible to detect whether the current position corresponds to atleast one of these locations.

The situation detector 1034 also detects whether or not the currentsituation corresponds to various situations estimated from theacceleration information based on the acquired acceleration information.For example, the situation detector 1034 can estimate the amount ofactivity from the acceleration information, and detect whether or notthe current situation corresponds to before sleeping, sleeping, or afterwaking, etc. based on the amount of activity. Furthermore, the situationdetector 1034 can detect whether or not the current situation is duringexercising and whether or not the current situation is after exercisingbased on the activity amount information.

Furthermore, the situation detector 1034 detects whether or not thecurrent situation corresponds to the situation of the action scheduleinformation based on the acquired time information (current time) andthe acquired action schedule information. For example, the situationdetector 1034 can detect which situation the current situationcorresponds to, such as before sleeping, during sleeping, or afterwaking, by using the current time and the action schedule informationinstead of the acceleration information. For example, the situationdetector 1034 detects that the current situation corresponds to sleepingbased on the current time 23:00 and the action schedule informationincluding the scheduled sleeping time 22:00 and the scheduled awakeningtime 7:00.

The configuration of the environmental change detector 1035 will bedescribed.

The environmental change detector 1035 holds the first environmentalinformation (current environmental information) and the secondenvironmental information (past environmental information) based onenvironmental information sequentially acquired over time, andsequentially updates the first and second environmental informationbased on the environmental information sequentially acquired over time.For example, at a first timing, the environmental information acquiredat the first timing becomes the first environmental information, at asecond timing after the first timing, the environmental informationacquired at the second timing becomes the new first environmentalinformation, and at the second timing, the first environmentalinformation acquired at the first timing becomes the secondenvironmental information. The environmental change detector 1035detects an environmental change exceeding an environmental referencevalue (second reference value) from the updated first environmentalinformation and the updated second environmental information, andoutputs a trigger signal for starting blood pressure measurement basedon the detection of the environmental change. For example, in the casewhere a difference between the first environmental information of thefirst environment measurement date and time obtained by a measurementand the second environmental information obtained by a past measurementof the second environment measurement date and time older than the firstmeasurement date and time exceeds the environment reference value, thedifference is detected as the environmental change. The secondenvironment measurement date and time and the second blood pressuremeasurement date and time may be substantially the same associated dateand time or may be independent dates and times. Alternatively, in thecase where a difference between the first environmental information ofthe first environment measurement date and time obtained by ameasurement and the average value of a plurality of pieces of secondenvironmental information obtained by a plurality of measurementsperformed earlier than the first environment measurement date and timeexceeds the environment reference value, the difference is detected asthe environmental change. For example, in the case where a differencebetween the first environmental information and an average value of aplurality of pieces of environmental information in the past hour, thepast six hours, the past day, or the past week exceeds an environmentalreference value, the difference is detected as the environmental change.Note that an environment measurement date and time among a plurality ofenvironment measurement dates and times may be substantially the samedate and time associated with the second blood pressure measurement dateand time described above, or the plurality of environment measurementdates and times and the second blood pressure measurement date and timemay be independent dates and times. For example, a temperature changeexceeding a first temperature reference value (second reference value)is detected from current temperature information, which is one of thepieces of first environmental information, and past temperatureinformation, which is one of the pieces of second environmentalinformation. For example, the first temperature reference value is setto 5° C. Furthermore, the environmental change detector 1035 may beconfigured to detect the temperature change in the case where at leastone of the current or the past temperature information is below a secondtemperature reference value. For example, the second temperaturereference value is set to 15° C. Thus, a temperature change at arelatively low temperature is detected.

Furthermore, a change in temperature (room temperature) from theprevious night to the next morning may be detected by setting currentand past conditions. For example, the environmental change detector 1035detects, from the current temperature information (temperatureinformation included in the morning time zone from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00a.m. on the current day) and the past temperature information(temperature information included in the night time zone from 9:00 p.m.to 11:00 p.m. on the previous day), a temperature change from theprevious night to the next morning exceeding the first temperaturereference value. Furthermore, by setting the first temperature referencevalue to a relatively high value, a sharp temperature change can bedetected. For example, by setting the current and past conditions andthe first temperature reference value to 5° C. or higher, theenvironmental change detector 1035 detects a sharp temperature changefrom the previous night to the next morning. Furthermore, by adding acondition that both the current and past temperature information bebelow the second temperature reference value to the conditions, atemperature change under a low temperature (for example, winter)condition can be detected. For example, by setting the current and pastconditions above, setting the first temperature reference value to 5°C., and setting the second temperature reference value to 10° C., theenvironmental change detector 1035 detects a sharp temperature changefrom the previous night to the next morning in winter (less than 10°C.). The environmental change detector 1035 outputs a trigger signal forstarting blood pressure measurement based on the detection of thesetemperature changes.

Furthermore, the environmental change detector 1035 may be configured todetect an atmospheric pressure change exceeding an atmospheric pressurereference value (second reference value) from current atmosphericpressure information, which is one of the pieces of currentenvironmental information, and past atmospheric pressure information,which is one of the pieces of past environmental information.

The configuration of the blood pressure measurement unit 1036 will bedescribed.

For example, the blood pressure measurement unit 1036 controls variousoperations and measures the blood pressure value of the measurementsubject in the following manner based on detection of a measurementinstruction output in response to the measurement subject pressing themeasurement switch of the operation unit 102 (input operation of bloodpressure measurement) or detection of a measurement instruction servingas a trigger for starting blood pressure measurement. The measurement ofthe blood pressure value by the blood pressure measurement unit 1036 isto calculate the blood pressure value from the sensed data.

For example, the blood pressure measurement unit 1036 initializes theprocessing memory area of the storage unit 104 based on detection of ameasurement instruction or detection of a measurement instruction thattriggers the blood pressure measurement to be started. The bloodpressure measurement unit 1036 turns off the pump 114 via the pump drivecircuit 113, opens the exhaust valve built in the pump 114, maintainsthe open/close valve 115 in an open state, and performs control so as toexhaust air in the pressing cuff 302 and the sensing cuff 304. The bloodpressure measurement unit 1036 controls the first pressure sensor 111and the second pressure sensor 112 to adjust the pressure to 0 mmHg. Theblood pressure measurement unit 1036 turns on the pump 114 via the pumpdrive circuit 113, maintains the open/close valve 115 in an open state,and performs control to start pressurization of the pressing cuff 302and the sensing cuff 304. The blood pressure measurement unit 1036controls the pump 114 to be driven via the pump drive circuit 113 whilemonitoring the pressures of the pressing cuff 302 and the sensing cuff304 with the first pressure sensor 111 and the second pressure sensor112, respectively. The blood pressure measurement unit 1036 performscontrol so as to send air respectively to the pressing cuff 302 throughthe first flow path and to the sensing cuff 304 through the second flowpath.

The blood pressure measurement unit 1036 waits until the pressure of thesensing cuff 304 reaches a predetermined pressure (for example, 15 mmHg)or until a predetermined time (for example, three seconds) elapses forthe driving time of the pump 114. The blood pressure measurement unit1036 closes the open/close valve 115 and continues the control ofsupplying air from the pump 114 to the pressing cuff 302 through thefirst flow path. As a result, the pressing cuff 302 is graduallypressurized to gradually compress the left wrist 90. The back plate 303transmits the pressing force from the pressing cuff 302 to the sensingcuff 304. The sensing cuff 304 compresses the left wrist 90 (includingan artery passing portion 90 a).

In this pressurization process, the blood pressure measurement unit 1036monitors pressure Pc of the sensing cuff 304, that is, the pressure ofthe artery passing portion 90 a of the left wrist 90, by the secondpressure sensor 112 in order to calculate a blood pressure value(systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), or thelike), and acquires a pulse wave signal Pm as a fluctuation component.The blood pressure measurement unit 1036 calculates a blood pressurevalue by applying a known algorithm by an oscillometric method based onthe pulse wave signal Pm. When the blood pressure value is calculated,the blood pressure measurement unit 1036 performs control to stop thepump 114, open the open/close valve 115, and discharge the air in thepressing cuff 302 and the sensing cuff 304. The blood pressuremeasurement unit 1036 can calculate the blood pressure value by theabove-described control, and outputs the calculated blood pressure valueto the blood pressure information output unit 1037 as blood pressureinformation.

The configuration of the blood pressure information output unit 1037will be described.

The blood pressure information output unit 1037 receives the currentsituation output from the situation detector 1034 as the blood pressuremeasurement situation in accordance with the timing of the bloodpressure measurement by the blood pressure measurement unit 1036, andoutputs the blood pressure information output from the blood pressuremeasurement unit 1036 and the blood pressure measurement situation inassociation with each other. That is, the blood pressure informationoutput unit 1037 outputs the blood pressure-related informationincluding the blood pressure information and the blood pressuremeasurement situation associated with the blood pressure information tothe display unit 101 and the storage unit 104. The display unit 101displays the blood pressure-related information, and the storage unit104 stores the blood pressure-related information. By repeating theblood pressure measurement by the blood pressure measurement unit 1036,a plurality of pieces of blood pressure-related information are stored(accumulated) in the storage unit 104. The plurality of pieces of bloodpressure-related information include current blood pressure-relatedinformation and past blood pressure-related information (a plurality ofpieces of past blood pressure-related information corresponding to aplurality of measurements). As described above, the first and secondblood pressure information are sequentially acquired and updated basedon at least one of the input operation of the blood pressure measurementor the blood pressure measurement schedule.

(Operation)

Blood pressure measurement processing performed based on the intentionof the measurement subject will be described.

For example, when the measurement subject presses the measurement switchof the operation unit 102 (input operation of blood pressuremeasurement), the blood pressure monitor 1 measures blood pressure basedon a measurement instruction generated in response to the pressedmeasurement switch. That is, the blood pressure measurement unit 1036controls an operation for blood pressure measurement based on ameasurement instruction generated in response to the pressed measurementswitch of the operation unit 102, and measures blood pressureinformation such as a blood pressure value. The blood pressuremeasurement based on such measurement switch operation, etc. in theoperation unit 102 is also referred to as manual measurement.

Furthermore, when the blood pressure measurement schedule is registeredin the storage unit 104, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquiresthe blood pressure measurement schedule, and the situation detector 1034generates a blood pressure measurement instruction based on the bloodpressure measurement schedule. For example, the blood pressuremeasurement schedule includes information of a blood pressuremeasurement date and time (every six hours (for example, 6:00, 12:00,18:00, and 0:00) or every day (for example, every morning at 6:00)). Thesituation detector 1034 generates a blood pressure measurementinstruction based on the blood pressure measurement date and time andthe current date and time included in the blood pressure measurementschedule. The blood pressure measurement unit 1036 controls an operationfor blood pressure measurement based on the blood pressure measurementinstruction and measures the blood pressure information. Blood pressuremeasurement based on such a blood pressure measurement schedule isreferred to as schedule measurement. In this embodiment, it is assumedthat at least one of the manual measurement or the schedule measurementis performed.

The blood pressure information output unit 1037 receives the currentsituation output from the situation detector 1034 as the blood pressuremeasurement situation (including the blood pressure measurement date andtime), and outputs the blood pressure information output from the bloodpressure measurement unit 1036 and the blood pressure-relatedinformation including the blood pressure measurement situationassociated with the blood pressure information. The blood pressureinformation output unit 1037 outputs the blood pressure-relatedinformation to the display unit 101 and the storage unit 104. Thedisplay unit 101 displays the blood pressure-related information, andthe storage unit 104 stores the blood pressure-related information. Forexample, by repeating the blood pressure measurement, the storage unit104 stores (accumulates) the blood pressure-related information. Notethat at the beginning of measurement, the blood pressure-relatedinformation stored in the storage unit 104 is the current bloodpressure-related information; however, over time, the bloodpressure-related information stored in the storage unit 104 becomes thepast blood pressure-related information. That is, the bloodpressure-related information is sequentially acquired according to theelapsing of time. As a result, the first and second blood pressureinformation are sequentially updated.

Blood pressure measurement processing based on an environmental changewill now be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the blood pressuremeasurement processing based on an environmental change according to theembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the blood pressure monitor 1 constantly measures theenvironmental information (step S11). For example, the temperature andhumidity sensor 106 constantly measures temperature and humidityinformation (step S11). The information acquisition unit 1031sequentially acquires the time information and the environmentalinformation, and the situation detector 1034 outputs the environmentalinformation in association with the time information. The environmentalchange detector 1035 detects an environmental change exceeding thereference value from the current and past environmental information (YESin step S12), and outputs a trigger signal for starting blood pressuremeasurement based on the detection of the environmental change. Forexample, the environmental change detector 1035 detects a temperaturechange exceeding the reference value from the current and pasttemperature information (YES in step S12), and outputs a trigger signalfor starting blood pressure measurement based on the detection of thetemperature change. If the environmental change detector 1035 does notdetect an environmental change exceeding the reference value from thecurrent and past environmental information (NO in step S12), theenvironmental change detector 120 does not output a trigger signal forstarting blood pressure measurement.

The blood pressure monitor 1 measures the blood pressure based on thetrigger signal for starting the blood pressure measurement (step S13).That is, the blood pressure measurement unit 1036 controls an operationfor blood pressure measurement based on the detection of theenvironmental change, and measures blood pressure information such as ablood pressure value (step S13). The blood pressure information outputunit 1037 outputs the blood pressure-related information including theblood pressure information and the blood pressure measurement situationassociated with the blood pressure information (step S14). For example,the blood pressure information output unit 1037 outputs the bloodpressure-related information to the display unit 101 and the storageunit 104. The display unit 101 displays the blood pressure-relatedinformation, and the storage unit 104 stores the blood pressure-relatedinformation (step S15). Note that at the beginning of measurement, theblood pressure-related information stored in the storage unit 104 is thecurrent blood pressure-related information; however, over time, theblood pressure-related information stored in the storage unit 104becomes the past blood pressure-related information.

The fluctuation information output unit 1033 executes blood pressurefluctuation notification processing based on the detection of bloodpressure fluctuation (step S16).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the blood pressure fluctuationnotification processing according to the embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the information acquisition unit 1031 acquiresthe current and past blood pressure-related information stored in thestorage unit 104 (step S161). When the blood pressure fluctuationdetector 1032 detects a blood pressure fluctuation exceeding the bloodpressure reference value from the current and past bloodpressure-related information (YES in step S162), the fluctuationinformation output unit 1033 outputs the blood pressure fluctuationinformation for reporting the blood pressure fluctuation based on thedetection of the blood pressure fluctuation (step S163). If the bloodpressure fluctuation detector 1032 does not detect a blood pressurefluctuation exceeding the blood pressure reference value from thecurrent and past blood pressure-related information (NO in step S162),the blood pressure fluctuation detector 1032 continues to detect theblood pressure fluctuation based on the blood pressure reference value.

For example, the fluctuation information output unit 1033 outputstransmission control information for instructing the communication unit108 to transmit a blood pressure fluctuation notification email. Basedon the transmission control information, the communication unit 108transmits the blood pressure fluctuation notification email to adestination registered in advance. The fluctuation information outputunit 1033 outputs the notification control information to the displayunit 101. The display unit 101 displays the blood pressure fluctuationguide based on the notification control information.

Although the case has been described where the storage unit 104 storesthe blood pressure-related information and the information acquisitionunit 1031 acquires the blood pressure-related information stored in thestorage unit 104, the blood pressure-related information may be storedin the memory of the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80 instead of thestorage unit 104 of the blood pressure monitor 1, and the informationacquisition unit 1031 may acquire the blood pressure-related informationstored in the memory of the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80.

Furthermore, the measurement date and time of the past environmentalinformation in step S12 and the measurement date and time of the pastblood pressure-related information in step S161 may be substantially thesame related date and time, or may be dates and times independent ofeach other.

(Effect)

As described above in detail, in the embodiment of the presentinvention, by outputting the blood pressure fluctuation informationbased on the detection of the blood pressure fluctuation, it is possibleto notify the measurement subject and the like of the blood pressurefluctuation by providing an opportunity to recognize the blood pressurefluctuation. For example, a blood pressure fluctuation exceeding thefirst reference value imposes a burden on the blood vessel; however,since the measurement subject or the like can become aware that a bloodpressure fluctuation occurred at the first blood pressure measurementdate and time, the measurement subject can discuss improving the livingenvironment or the like at the first blood pressure measurement date andtime. For example, the blood pressure fluctuation can be reportedimmediately after the blood pressure is measured at the first bloodpressure measurement date and time. Thus, the measurement subject or thelike can become aware that a blood pressure fluctuation occurred underthose circumstances at that time. Furthermore, in a case where the bloodpressure fluctuation is reported by email or the like, the notificationdestination may be the email address of the measurement subject or theemail address of a related party. For example, an email address of ahospital or a relative may be used. In this way, it is possible tonotify the measurement subject himself or herself, and the related partyas well.

Furthermore, the blood pressure fluctuation may occur based on atemperature change exceeding the second reference value, and thedetection probability of the blood pressure fluctuation can beincreased. For example, since a blood pressure fluctuation may occurbased on a temperature change, the blood pressure fluctuation can bedetected with a relatively high probability by detecting the bloodpressure fluctuation based on the temperature change. It should be notedthat blood pressure fluctuation can be efficiently detected by addingtemperature change detection at a low temperature to the conditions. Forexample, in a case where at least one of the current temperatureinformation or the past temperature information is below the temperaturereference value, an environmental change is detected. Furthermore, sincethe blood pressure fluctuation may occur based on the atmosphericpressure change, the blood pressure fluctuation can be detected with arelatively high probability by detecting the blood pressure fluctuationbased on the atmospheric pressure change.

Furthermore, by adding various kinds of information to the bloodpressure fluctuation information for reporting the blood pressurefluctuation, it is possible to notify the measurement subject or thelike of various kinds of information together with the blood pressurefluctuation. For example, by adding at least one of the informationindicating the environmental change or the information indicating theblood pressure measurement situation to the blood pressure fluctuationinformation, it is possible to notify the measurement subject or thelike of at least one of the environmental change or the blood pressuremeasurement situation together with the blood pressure fluctuation. Forexample, the fluctuation value of the blood pressure and the fluctuationvalue of the temperature can be reported to the measurement subject orthe like. Furthermore, by including a blood pressure measurementposition such as a home or a workplace in the blood pressure measurementsituation, the blood pressure measurement position can be reported tothe measurement subject or the like.

Furthermore, if the measurement date and time of the past environmentalinformation and the measurement date and time of the past bloodpressure-related information are substantially the same date and time,it is possible to detect and report a blood pressure fluctuationdirectly affected by an environmental change. Furthermore, if themeasurement date and time of the past environmental information and themeasurement date and time of the past blood pressure-related informationare independent dates and times, it is possible to detect and report ablood pressure fluctuation indirectly affected by an environmentalchange.

Other Embodiments

Although the case where the blood pressure fluctuation is detected inthe blood pressure monitor 1 has been described, the embodiment is notlimited thereto. The server 70 or the mobile terminal 80 may detect theblood pressure fluctuation and notify the blood pressure monitor 1 ofthe blood pressure fluctuation detection result. For example, the server70 or the mobile terminal 80 receives and stores the current and pastblood pressure-related information from the blood pressure monitor 1.The server 70 or the mobile terminal 80 detects the blood pressurefluctuation from the current and past blood pressure-relatedinformation, and notifies the blood pressure monitor 1 of the bloodpressure fluctuation detection result. The blood pressure monitor 1receives the blood pressure fluctuation detection result from the server70 or the mobile terminal 80, and outputs blood pressure fluctuationinformation for reporting the blood pressure fluctuation based on theblood pressure fluctuation detection result. Alternatively, the server70 or the mobile terminal 80 may output the blood pressure fluctuationinformation for reporting the blood pressure fluctuation based on theblood pressure fluctuation detection result. The communication unit 108of the blood pressure monitor 1 receives the blood pressure fluctuationinformation from the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80, and thedisplay unit 101 or the like reports the blood pressure fluctuationbased on the blood pressure fluctuation information.

As described above, the blood pressure monitor 1 is not limited to ablood pressure monitor (non-continuous blood pressure monitor) thatstarts blood pressure measurement based on detection of an input of ablood pressure measurement instruction or detection of a trigger signalautonomously generated by the blood pressure monitor 1. For example, theblood pressure monitor 1 may be a blood pressure monitor (continuousblood pressure monitor) employing a continuous measurement-type bloodpressure detection method using a pulse transmit time (PTT) method, atonometry method, an optical method, a radio wave method, an ultrasonicmethod, or the like. For example, a continuous blood pressure monitorexecutes the blood pressure fluctuation notification processing shown inFIG. 6. The PTT method is a method of measuring a pulse transit time(PTT) and estimating a blood pressure value from the measured pulsetransit time. The tonometry method is a method in which a pressuresensor is brought into direct contact with a biological site(measurement site) through which an artery passes, such as a radialartery of a wrist, and a blood pressure value is measured usinginformation detected by the pressure sensor. The optical method, theradio wave method, and the ultrasonic method are methods in which light,radio waves, or ultrasonic waves are applied to a blood vessel, and ablood pressure value is measured from reflected waves thereof.

Furthermore, the continuous blood pressure monitor may transmit thecurrent and past blood pressure-related information to the server 70 orthe mobile terminal 80, and the server 70 or the mobile terminal 80 maydetect the blood pressure fluctuation from the current and past bloodpressure-related information and notify the continuous blood pressuremonitor of the blood pressure fluctuation detection result.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the case of measuringblood pressure has been described as an example. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto, and the present invention can also beapplied to the case of measuring other biological information such as anactivity amount, the number of steps, an electrocardiogram, a pulserate, and a body temperature.

The various functional units described in the above embodiments may berealized by using circuits. The circuit may be a dedicated circuit thatimplements a specific function or may be a general-purpose circuit suchas a processor.

At least a part of the processing of each of the above embodiments canalso be realized by using a general-purpose computer as basic hardware.The program for realizing the above-described processing may be providedby being stored in a computer-readable recording medium. The program isstored in a recording medium as a file in an installable format or afile in an executable format.

Examples of the recording medium include a magnetic disk, an opticaldisc (such as a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a compactdisc-recordable (CD-R), and a digital versatile disc (DVD)), amagneto-optical disc (such as a magneto optical (MO)), and asemiconductor memory. The recording medium may be any medium as long asit can store the program and can be read by a computer. Furthermore, theprogram for realizing the above-described processing may be stored in acomputer (server) connected to a network such as the Internet anddownloaded to a computer (client) via the network.

A part or all of the above-mentioned embodiments may also be describedas in the following supplementary notes, without limitation thereto.

(Supplementary note 1)

An information processing apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to

acquire first blood pressure information associated with a first bloodpressure measurement date and time and second blood pressure informationassociated with a second blood pressure measurement date and time thatis earlier than the first blood pressure measurement date and time,

detect a blood pressure fluctuation exceeding a first reference valuefrom the first and second blood pressure information, and

output blood pressure fluctuation information reporting the bloodpressure fluctuation; and

a memory configured to store a command to cause the processor tooperate.

(Supplementary note 2)

An information processing method comprising:

acquiring, by using at least one processor, first blood pressureinformation associated with a first blood pressure measurement date andtime and second blood pressure information associated with a secondblood pressure measurement date and time that is earlier than the firstblood pressure measurement date and time;

detecting, by using the at least one processor, a blood pressurefluctuation exceeding a first reference value from the first and secondblood pressure information; and

outputting, by using the at least one processor, blood pressurefluctuation information reporting the blood pressure fluctuation.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 . . . blood pressure monitor-   10 . . . main body-   10A . . . case-   10B . . . glass-   10C . . . back cover-   20 . . . belt-   30 . . . cuff structure-   30 a . . . one end-   30 b . . . other end-   30 c . . . inner peripheral surface-   70 . . . server-   80 . . . mobile terminal-   90 . . . left wrist-   90 a . . . artery passing portion-   91 . . . radial artery-   92 . . . ulnar artery-   93 . . . radius-   94 . . . ulna-   95 . . . tendon-   101 . . . display unit-   102 . . . operation unit-   103 . . . controller-   104 . . . storage unit-   105 . . . acceleration sensor-   106 . . . temperature and humidity sensor-   107 . . . atmospheric pressure sensor-   108 . . . communication unit-   109 . . . GPS receiver-   110 . . . battery-   111 . . . first pressure sensor-   112 . . . second pressure sensor-   113 . . . pump drive circuit-   114 . . . pump-   115 . . . open/close valve-   201 . . . first belt portion-   201 a . . . root portion-   201 b . . . distal end portion-   202 . . . second belt portion-   202 a . . . root portion-   202 b . . . distal end portion-   202 c . . . small hole-   203 . . . buckle-   203A . . . frame-like body-   203B . . . fastening rod-   203C . . . connecting rod-   204 . . . belt holding portion-   301 . . . curler-   302 . . . pressing cuff-   303 . . . back plate-   304 . . . sensing cuff-   304A . . . first sheet-   304B . . . second sheet-   401 . . . connecting rod-   402 . . . connecting rod-   501 . . . flexible tube-   502 . . . flexible tube-   503 . . . first flow path forming member-   504 . . . second flow path forming member-   1031 . . . information acquisition unit-   1032 . . . blood pressure fluctuation detector-   1033 . . . fluctuation information output unit-   1034 . . . situation detector-   1035 . . . environmental change detector-   1036 . . . blood pressure measurement unit-   1037 . . . blood pressure information output unit

The invention claimed is:
 1. An information processing apparatuscomprising: an environmental change detector configured to detect anenvironmental change exceeding a first reference value from firstenvironmental information and second environmental information that isinformation earlier than the first environmental information; a bloodpressure measurement unit configured to measure first blood pressureinformation based on detection of the environmental change; a bloodpressure information output unit configured to output the first bloodpressure information; an information acquisition unit configured toacquire first blood pressure information and second blood pressureinformation that is information earlier than the first blood pressureinformation; a blood pressure fluctuation detector configured to detecta blood pressure fluctuation exceeding a second reference value from thefirst and second blood pressure information; and a fluctuationinformation output unit configured to output blood pressure fluctuationinformation that reports the blood pressure fluctuation, wherein theenvironmental change detector detects the environmental change in a casewhere at least one of first temperature information corresponding to thefirst environmental information or second temperature informationcorresponding to the second environmental information is below atemperature reference value.
 2. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure measurement unitmeasures the second blood pressure information based on one of ameasurement instruction corresponding to an input operation or ameasurement instruction corresponding to a measurement schedule, and theblood pressure information output unit outputs the second blood pressureinformation.
 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim2, wherein the blood pressure fluctuation detector updates the secondblood pressure information in accordance with acquisition of bloodpressure information.
 4. The information processing apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the environmental change detector updates the secondenvironmental information in accordance with acquisition ofenvironmental information.
 5. The information processing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the fluctuation information output unitoutputs the blood pressure fluctuation information including informationindicating the environmental change.
 6. The information processingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the blood pressure informationoutput unit outputs the first and second blood pressure information inassociation with information indicating a blood pressure measurementsituation of a measurement subject, and the fluctuation informationoutput unit outputs the blood pressure fluctuation information includinginformation indicating the blood pressure measurement situation.
 7. Theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein theinformation indicating the blood pressure measurement situation includesa blood pressure measurement position of the measurement subject.
 8. Aninformation processing method performed by an information processingapparatus, the information processing method comprising: detecting anenvironmental change exceeding a first reference value from firstenvironmental information and second environmental information that isinformation earlier than the first environmental information; measuringfirst blood pressure information based on detection of the environmentalchange; outputting the first blood pressure information; acquiring firstblood pressure information and second blood pressure information that isinformation earlier than the first blood pressure information; detectinga blood pressure fluctuation exceeding a second reference value from thefirst and second blood pressure information; and outputting bloodpressure fluctuation information reporting the blood pressurefluctuation, wherein the detecting the environmental change is performedin a case where at least one of first temperature informationcorresponding to the first environmental information or secondtemperature information corresponding to the second environmentalinformation is below a temperature reference value.
 9. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing an information processingprogram that causes a computer to function as each unit included in theinformation processing apparatus according to claim 1.